Chapter L: Reeve & Co., Ltd., (2)

PLATE 61.--Fig. 1, bract; Fig. 2, petal; Fig. 3, dorsal sepal; Fig.
4, lip; Fig. 5, ovary; Fig. 6, column showing anthers; Fig. 7,
column showing stigmas; Fig. 8, side view of column.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K. A. Lansdell del.]

PLATE 62.

ALOE EXCELSA.

_Rhodesia._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.

ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.

* * * * *

=Aloe excelsa=, _Berger in Notizblatt. Berl. Bot. Gart. u. Museums_, vol. iv. (1906) 247; _Das Pflanzenreich_, vol. iv. 38, p. 314.

* * * * *

This arborescent Aloe forms one of the most conspicuous features of the vegetation of the Matoppos in Rhodesia in July and August, when it brightens up the Kopjes with its crimson flowers. Full-grown plants vary in height from 15-20 feet, and one of their chief characteristics is the graceful recurving of the ends of the leaves. Our illustration is made from one of the many plants of this species which adorn the rockeries of the Union Buildings, and which were collected by Mr. J. Wickens on the Matoppos. The plants thrive well in Pretoria, and attract consideration through their deep carmine inflorescence. They flower in Pretoria during August and September.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium (Herb. No. 1453).

DESCRIPTION:--Aborescent up to 5-6·3 m. high. _Stems_ about 3-4 cm. in diameter. _Leaves_ crowded and forming a rosette at the end of the stem up to 0·2 m. long, 8-9 cm. broad at the base, gradually narrowing to the apex, lanceolate-ovate, acuminate, with the uppermost third gracefully recurved, deeply channelled above, convex beneath, with spines along the margin and with spines on the under surface; spines 4 mm. long, 5 mm. apart below and about 2·6 cm. apart on the upper portion of the leaf. _Inflorescence_ a panicle; peduncle 13-16 cm. long, compressed, convex on both surfaces, with a prominent ridge on either side. _Bracts_ ovate, acute, membranous. _Ultimate racemes_ 22-25 cm. long, 5·5 cm. in diameter, cylindric, densely many-flowered. _Floral-bracts_ brown, about 5 mm. long, 5 mm. broad at the base, ovate, acute. _Flowers_ subsessile; perianth-tube 1 cm. long, 5 mm. in diameter, oblong in outline; lobes 1·8 cm. long, 0·6 mm. broad, oblong, obtuse, 3-nerved, the outer with a small rostrate body just below the apex; the inner perianth-segments free to the base. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, oblong; style 2·7 cm. long, cylindric; stigma simple.

* * * * *

PLATE 62.--Fig. 1, plant much reduced; Fig. 2, stamens; Fig. 3,
perianth-segments; Fig. 4, apices of outer and inner
perianth-segments; Fig. 5, flower; Fig. 6, bract; Fig. 7, leaf;
Fig. 8, transverse section of leaf.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K. A. Lansdell del.]

PLATE 63.

GLADIOLUS ALATUS, _var._ NAMAQUENSIS.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Gladiolus alatus, var. namaquensis=, _Baker in Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 159; _G. namaquensis, Ker. in Bot. Mag._ t. 592.

* * * * *

This plant is a variety of the Cape “Kalkoentje” (_Gladiolus alatus_), and might conveniently be called the “Namaqua Kalkoentje.” This particular variety has been known for almost 200 years, and in the Banksian Herbarium in the British Museum is a well-preserved specimen which was collected by Masson in Namaqualand. A figure of the plant prepared from specimens which flowered in England was published in the _Botanical Magazine_ in 1801.

In the veld groups of plants are usually found together, each forming a corm which has developed as an offshoot from the parent corm. This character would render the plant easy of propagation.

We are indebted to Mrs. E. Rood of van Rhynsdorp for specimens which were received by the Division of Botany in September, 1921. They are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1468).

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ covered with fibrous tunics. _Stem_ with a basal sheath 2·5-3·5 cm. long. _Leaves_ four, decreasing in size upwards; the outermost leaf 13-15 cm. long, 2·5-3 cm. broad; upper leaves 7-12 cm. long, ·5-2·1 cm. broad, all lanceolate, acuminate, clasping and equitant at the base, 5-nerved, with reddish margins; the innermost almost wholly clasping. _Visible peduncle_ about 11 cm. long, 3-flowered. _Outer-bracts_ 4 cm. long, 2 cm. broad, boat-shaped, acuminate, sharply keeled, with keel and margins reddish-brown; inner similar to the outer but bifid at the apex. _Perianth-tube_ 1 cm. long, cylindric below, campanulate above; upper segments 2·5 cm. long, 2·2 cm. broad, ovate, subacuminate; 2 lower segments 2 cm. long, 5 mm. broad above, obovate, narrowed into a long linear claw; the lowermost segment 1·1 cm. broad, ovate, subacuminate. _Filaments_ 1·5 cm. long, cylindric; anthers 1·3 cm. long, linear. _Ovary_ 8 mm. long, 2·5 mm. in diameter, narrowly ellipsoid; style 3 cm. long, filiform; lobes 5 mm. long, linear, slightly broadened above, rounded and bifid at the apex.

* * * * *

PLATE 63.--Fig. 1, corm; Fig. 2, lower perianth-segment; Fig. 3,
lateral perianth segment; Fig. 4, stamens, front and side view;
Fig. 5, style and stigmas.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

S. Gower del.]

PLATE 64.

GAZANIA PYGMAEA.

_Transvaal._

* * * * *

COMPOSITAE. Tribe ARCTOTIDEAE.

GAZANIA, _Gaertn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 459.

* * * * *

=Gazania pygmaea=, _Sond. in Linnaea_, vol. xxiii. p. 69; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iii. p. 478.

* * * * *

During the month of September the veld round Pretoria is carpeted with the white flowers of this little _Gazania_. It is one of the first, if not the first plant to flower on burnt veld, and the contrast in colour between the white flowers and the young green grass is very striking. While so extremely common during the spring months, this species appears to be little known botanically. It was evidently first collected by the botanist Karl Zeyher on the Magaliesberg about the year 1841, and the description in the _Flora Capensis_ based on Zeyher’s specimen is the most recent published information we have about this species. The plants are tufted, several underground stems arising from a stout tap-root.

The present plate was prepared from specimens collected by Mr. D. Fouche on the outskirts of Pretoria. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria.

DESCRIPTION:--Acaulescent plants with several subterranean stems from the apex of the deep tap-root. _Leaves_ crowded, radical, 2·5-6·5 cm. long, 3-5 mm. broad, linear, with an acute callous at the apex, attenuated at the base, somewhat channelled above, hispid on the upper surface, woolly-canescent beneath except on the midrib, entire, spinulose-ciliate. _Heads_ many to each root. _Peduncle_ about 3·5 cm. long, sparsely woolly, especially beneath the involucre, or subglabrous. _Involucral-tube_ 7 mm. long, 6 mm. in diameter, turbinate; lobes in 4 rows; outer lobes 6 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, linear, obtuse, spinulose-ciliate; inner lobes 4 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, ovate, obtuse with reddish-brown membranous margins. _Ray-florets_ neuter, white with a purplish band beneath; corolla tube 7 mm. long, cylindric; limb 1·7 mm. long, 4·5 mm. broad, lanceolate, bifid at the apex, with each lobe minutely 2-toothed, about 7-nerved and distinctly 2-keeled beneath. _Disc-florets_ hermaphrodite; corolla-tube 6 mm. long, subcylindric, somewhat 5-angled, glabrous; lobes 1·5 mm. long, ·5 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse. _Pappus_ of hyaline linear scales 1·5 mm. long. _Ovary_ covered with long silky hairs; style 7 mm. long, cylindric (lengthening with age); stigmas ·75 long, linear, obtuse.

* * * * *

PLATE 64.--Fig. 1, young flower head; Fig. 2, section through
involucre; Fig. 3, flower head just before opening; Fig. 4, surface
view of flower head; Fig. 5, corolla of ray-florets; Fig. 6, disc
floret; Fig. 7, leaf; all variously enlarged.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K.A. Lansdell del.]

PLATE 65.

ORNITHOGALUM THUNBERGIANUM.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.

ORNITHOGALUM, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 815.

* * * * *

=Ornithogalum Thunbergianum=, _Baker in Journ. Linn. Soc._ vol. xiii. p. 269; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 497.

* * * * *

_Ornithogalum Thunbergianum_, the “Yellow Chinkerichee,” is found in the Malmesbury, Paarl, and Van Rhynsdorp Districts of Cape Province. It was found by Carl Thunberg at Saldana Bay about the year 1772, and named by him _O. maculatum_, but as this specific name had already been given to a plant figured by Jacquin, the late Mr. Baker redescribed the species here dealt with and named it after Thunberg, although there is some doubt as to whether the plant figured by Jacquin is specifically distinct from _O. Thunbergianum_.

The perianth is a beautiful “flame scarlet” colour with a black mark at the tip of the three outer segments. The species should be grown by all lovers of our native flora, and would well repay cultivation.

We are indebted to Mrs. E. Rood, Van Rhynsdorp, for specimens which enabled us to prepare the present plate. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1469).

DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 2-3 cm. long, 2-3 cm. in diameter, ovoid or compressed-globose, covered with thin membranous tunics. _Leaves_ withering at time of flowering, 5-10 cm. long, 1 cm. broad below, ovate-linear, tapering to an acute apex, glabrous, glaucous-green. _Peduncle_ 12-38 cm. long, terete, rigid, glabrous. _Inflorescence_ 2-6-flowered. _Bracts_ membranous, 2·3-2·5 cm. long, linear-oblong, acuminate, more or less clasping and equalling the pedicel. _Pedicels_ 1·7 cm. long, terete, the lower somewhat arcuate. _Perianth segments_ 2-2·3 long, ·8-1 cm. broad; the outer obovate-oblanceolate, subacute, with a black mark at the apex; the inner ovate-lanceolate. _Filaments_ 7 mm. long, cylindric, slightly narrowing above; anthers 3 mm. long. _Ovary_ 8 mm. long, 5 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid; style 2 mm. long; stigma trigonous.

* * * * *

PLATE 65.--Fig. 1, stamens; Fig. 2, gynaecium; Fig. 3, bract.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K. A. Lansdell del.]

PLATE 66.

FERRARIA ANTHEROSA.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDACEAE. Tribe MOROEEAE.

FERRARIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 692.

* * * * *

=Ferraria antherosa=, _Ker. in Bot. Mag._ 751; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 29.

* * * * *

Our species was first figured in Curtis’ _Botanical Magazine_ in 1804 from a plant which was raised in Salisbury’s garden at Brompton, England. It is not at all a well-known plant, as it is only recorded in the _Flora Capensis_ as having been collected by Zeyher in the Clanwilliam District, and by Ecklon at Groenkloof in the Malmesbury District. The plant from which our plate was prepared was sent to the Division of Botany, Pretoria, by Mrs. E. Rood from Van Rhynsdorp. The genus _Ferraria_ is represented in South Africa by six species, and by one species in Angola. The flowers last only for a very short time after opening, but a succession of flowers appears on each plant. None of the species can be called ornamental from a gardener’s point of view, but the structure of the flower is very beautiful and the colouring quaint. Plants would only be grown as a botanical curiosity, and not for their beauty. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1471).

DESCRIPTION:--_Corms_ several arranged one on top of the other, discoid, about 3·5 cm. in diameter. _Plant_ about 23 cm. high. _Leaves_ three, 17-26 cm. long, linear and 1 cm. broad above, subacute, equitant and clasping the stem below. _Bracts_ subtending the inflorescences, resembling the leaves. _Bracts_ subtending the ultimate inflorescence 5-8 cm. long, 1·6-2·6 cm. broad, elliptic, boat-shaped, with membranous margins. _Perianth segments_ 2·5 cm. long, forming a campanulate portion 1·5 cm. long and 1·3 cm. in diameter, then spreading into a horizontal portion; the spreading portion 1·4 cm. long, 1·4 broad, ovate, subacute, with frilled margins. _Staminal tube_ 1·6 cm. long, cylindric, anther lobes diverging. _Ovary_ cylindric, with a beak 3 cm. long; stigmas long-fimbriated.

* * * * *

PLATE 66.--Fig. 1, corms; Fig. 2, flower; Fig. 3, top of style
showing stigmas and anthers; Fig. 4, stigma.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K. A. Lansdell del.]

PLATE 67.

HARVEYA SQUAMOSA.

_Cape Province, Natal, Little Namaqualand._

* * * * *

SCROPHULARIACEAE. Tribe GERARDIEAE.

HARVEYA, _Hook._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 967.

* * * * *

=Harveya squamosa=, _Steud. Nomencl. Bot. ed._ 2, i. 723: _Fl. Cap._ iv. sect 2, p. 413.

* * * * *

The Genus _Harveya_ contains 27 species, all of which are parasitic on the roots of other plants. In South Africa 21 species are recorded, the remainder being found in Tropical Africa and the Mascarene Islands. The name was given by Sir William Hooker in commemoration of Dr. Harvey, who was one of the pioneers of South African systematic botany. The plant belongs to a group known as total parasites, _i.e._ it is wholly dependent on its host for its food supply. Specialised roots technically known as “haustoria” penetrate the roots of the host plant and absorb the requisite food material.

The species here figured occurs in the Cape Peninsula, all along the western coastal districts to Clanwilliam and Van Rhynsdorp and into Little Namaqualand. It has also been recorded from the sand-dunes near Durban in Natal. The specimens from which our plate was prepared were collected by Mrs. E. Rood at Van Rhynsdorp, and are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1456).

DESCRIPTION:--A herbaceous plant about 13 cm. high. _Scale leaves_ 8 mm. long, 1 cm. broad, ovate, acuminate, pubescent without. _Inflorescence_ racemose, densely many-flowered, 2·5 cm. in diameter, more or less cylindric; axis 1 cm. in diameter near base, narrowing upwards. _Bracts_ 1-2 cm. long, ·5-·9 cm. broad, oblong or obovate-spathulate, obtuse, glandular pilose without; bracteoles 2, opposite at base of the calyx, 3 cm. long, 1·5 mm. broad, linear, glandular-pilose. _Pedicels_ 1 cm. long, fleshy. _Calyx-tube_ 2·5 cm. long, 7 mm. in diameter, tubular, glandular-pilose without, glabrous within; lobes 1·5-1·7 cm. long, 3 mm. broad at the base, gradually tapering from a triangular base. _Corolla-tube_ 3 cm. long, 4 mm. in diameter, tubular, glandular-pilose without and also within about the middle; lobes 4 mm. long, 5 mm. broad, semiorbicular, rounded above, somewhat concave, glandular-pubescent without. _Stamens_ attached to the middle of the corolla tube; filaments of 2 different lengths; the longer 1·6 cm. long; the shorter 1·3 cm. long; all sparsely covered with glandular hairs; anthers with one fertile lobe and one unfertile lobe. _Ovary_ 5 mm. long, 4 mm. in diameter; style 2·5 cm. long, terete, sparsely covered with a few glandular hairs; stigma clavate, faintly 2-lobed.

* * * * *

PLATE 67.--Fig. 1, showing haustoria attached to portion of host;
Fig. 2, single flowers showing bract and bracteoles; Fig. 3, bract;
Fig. 4, bracteole; Fig. 5, calyx laid open; Fig. 6, corolla; Fig.
7, corolla laid open; Fig. 8, stigma; Figs. 9, 10, portion of
filaments with anther; Fig. 11, style and ovary.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K. A. Lansdell del.]

PLATE 68.

GLADIOLUS PRITZELII.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

IRIDEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.

GLADIOLUS, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 709.

* * * * *

=Gladiolus Pritzelii=, _Diels in Engl. Bot. Jahrb._ vol. xliv. p. 118.

* * * * *

This graceful little _Gladiolus_ was first found by Diels at Hantams Berg, Calvinia District, and described by him in 1909, and in September 1921 the plant was again collected by Dr. R. Marloth in the same locality. It belongs to the same group in the genus as _G. spathaceus_ (the Caledon Bluebell), and _G. involutus_ (the George Bluebell), having the same bell-shaped flowers. In the original description the plant is said to be one-flowered, but in the specimens received from Dr. Marloth the spikes were 2-4-flowered.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1459).

DESCRIPTION:--_Corm_ globose, 2 cm. long, 2·2 cm. in diameter, with fibrous tunics produced into a short neck. _Leaves_ two to each plant; the lower about 5 cm. long, spathaceous, clasping the stem, minutely pubescent and with hyaline margins; the upper 26-43 cm. long, free for 14-24 cm. above, linear, acute, with two prominent ribs above and beneath. _Spikes_ 2-4-flowered. _Outer spathe valve_ membranous, 3 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, lanceolate, many-veined, with membranous margins, glabrous; inner valve 2 cm. long, hyaline-membranous. _Perianth-tube_ 7 mm. long, curved, cylindric below, becoming campanulate above. _Posterior-lobes_ 1·5 cm. long, 1 cm. broad, obovate, subacuminate, obtuse; anterior lobe 2·3 cm. long, 1·3 cm. broad, obovate, rounded above, hooded; side lobes 1·5 cm. long, 1·3 cm. broad, obovate, shortly and bluntly acuminate. _Anthers_ projecting beyond the junction with the filament. _Ovary_ 3 mm. long, ellipsoid; style terete; stigmas spathulate, 2-lobed.

* * * * *

PLATE 68.--Fig. 1, front view of flower; Fig. 2, perianth laid
open; Fig. 3, upper part of style, showing stigmas; Fig. 4,
anthers.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

S Gower del.]

PLATE 69.

GAZANIA PAVONIA.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

COMPOSITAE. Tribe ARCTOTIDEAE.

GAZANIA, _Gaertn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 459.

* * * * *

=Gazania Pavonia=, _R. Br. in Ait. Hort. Kew._ 2, vol. v. p. 140; _Fl. Cap._ vol. iii. p. 476.

* * * * *

This extremely handsome species of _Gazania_ was cultivated by Mr. C. N. Knox-Davies in Johannesburg from plants collected at Worcester in the Cape Province. The plants form a dense mass, and are suitable either for growing in a border or in large pots. The ray florets are a beautiful nopal red, with a warm sepia-brown eye-spot at the base, and when the plants are in full bloom they present a very striking appearance. It is surprising that species of this genus, which are amongst the most handsome of the South African Compositae, have received so little attention from horticulturists, and though hundreds of our native plants have been figured in the _Botanical Magazine_ only two species of Gazania have been illustrated.

Mr. N. E. Brown, who contributed an account of the genus to _The Garden_, wrote that “it is one of the most perplexing that a botanist has to deal with,” and even to-day the species are very imperfectly known. Our plant was submitted to Kew for verification of the name, and the Director reports, “The _Gazania_ has not been exactly matched, but might be regarded as a form of _G. Pavonia, R. Br._”

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1473).

DESCRIPTION:--_Plant_ compact, decumbent, forming a clump about 30 cm. in diameter. _Leaves_ crowded near the apex of short shoots, 6-10 cm. long, pinnatisect, slightly broadened and clasping at the base; lobes 1-2·5 cm. long, 2·5-4 mm. broad, linear, subacute, woolly-tomentose beneath except on the mid-rib, sparsely woolly above, at length becoming glabrous. _Peduncle_ 9 mm. long, terete, sparsely woolly, at length becoming glabrous. _Tube of involucre_ 9 mm. long, 8 mm. in diameter, sparsely woolly, intruse at the base; lobes in three rows; the outer 4 mm. long, less than 1 mm. broad, linear, subacute; the innermost ovate, subacuminate, subobtuse, with reddish-brown margins. _Ray-florets_ neuter, corolla tube 7 mm. long, cylindric; limb red with a dark-coloured mark at the base, 1·9 cm. long, 8 mm. broad, obovate, rounded and minutely 3-fid at the apex, with two prominent veins beneath. _Disc-florets_ hermaphrodite. _Corolla-tube_ 7 mm. long, more or less angled, glabrous; lobes ·5 mm. long, ovate, subacute. _Anthers_ 3 mm. long. _Pappus_ of long delicate linear scales connate in the lower half and encasing the base of the corolla tube, free in the upper half. _Ovary_ densely clothed with long silky hairs; style elongating up to 1·3 cm. long, filiform; stigmas about 0·75 mm. long.

* * * * *

PLATE 69.--Fig. 1, limb of ray flower; Fig. 2, longitudinal section
of involucre; Fig. 3, ray flower; Fig. 4, segment of leaf enlarged.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K A Lansdell del.]

PLATE 70.

OCHNA PRETORIENSIS.

_Transvaal._

* * * * *

OCHNACEAE. Tribe OCHNACEAE.

OCHNA, _Schreb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 317.

* * * * *

=Ochna pretoriensis=, _Phillips_, sp. nov. _Rami_ glabri. _Folia_
1·5-3·8 cm. longa, 0·5-1·7 cm. lata, lanceolata, obovata, elliptica
vel oblanceolata, apice obtusa, basi cuneata, marginibus serratis.
_Flores_ solitarii vel 2-nati. _Pedicelli_ 1-1·5 cm. longi, basi
articulati. _Sepala_ 7-8 mm. longa, 4·5 mm. lata, ovata vel
elliptica, apice rotundata, aliquando 2-3-lobata. _Petala_ 1·5 cm.
longa, 9·5 mm. lata, obovata, apice rotundata, basi unguiculata.
_Filamenta_ 4·5 mm. longa, apice articulata. _Ovarium_
4-5-loculare; stylus 5 mm. longus, apice 4-5-lobatus.

* * * * *

This _Ochna_, which is found in the Transvaal around Pretoria and at Messina, has hitherto been confused with _O. atropurpurea_, but is easily distinguished from that species by the larger more expanded flowers and the non-pustulate branches. The latter character distinguishes _O. atropurpurea_ from all the other South African species of the genus.

Our plate was prepared from specimens collected on Meintjes Kop, Pretoria, by Mr. D. J. Fouche in September, 1921. It is a low spreading bush, and at this time of the year is one mass of sweet-smelling yellow flowers. The leaves do not appear until December or January, and it is then that the green sepals enlarge and turn a blood-red colour and surround the black fruit. The plant, therefore, either in flower or fruit makes a very ornamental shrub and well worth the attention of cultivators.

The genus _Ochna_ contains several species producing valuable timber.

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. Nos. 1422, 1491).

DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ with light to dark brown bark, peeling off in membranous strips, not pustulate. _Leaves_ 1·5-3·8 cm. long, ·5-1·7 cm. broad, lanceolate, obovate, elliptic, or oblanceolate (mostly oblanceolate), obtuse at the apex, cuneate or more rarely rounded at the base, with serrated margins and with the mid-rib distinct and the lateral veins evident. _Flowers_ solitary, very rarely paired, arising at the apex of abbreviated shoots. _Pedicels_ 1-1·5 cm. long, articulated at or 1-2 mm. above the base. _Sepals_ 7-8 mm. long, 4-5 mm. broad, ovate or elliptic, rounded at and sometimes 2-8-lobed at the apex, enlarging in the fruit. _Petals_ 1·5 cm. long, 9·5 mm. broad, obovate, rounded at the apex, narrowed at the base into a claw. _Filaments_ 4·5 mm. long, articulated at the apex; anthers 2 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ of 4-6 carpels; style 5 mm. long; stigmas as many as the carpels. _Fruit_ 7-8 mm. long, 5-6 mm. broad, more or less ellipsoid.

* * * * *

PLATE 70.--Fig. 1, fruiting branch; Fig. 2, flower with petals
removed; Fig. 3, sepal; Fig. 4, petal; Figs. 5 and 6, stamens; Fig.
7, gynaecium.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

S Gower del.]

PLATE 71.

DAUBENYA AUREA, _var._ COCCINEA.

_Cape Province._

* * * * *

LILIACEAE. Tribe ALLIEAE.

DAUBENYA, _Lindl._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 807.

* * * * *

=Daubenya aurea=, Lindl., _var._ =coccinea=, _Marloth_ comb. nov.

_Daubenya coccinea, Harv. Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 417.

* * * * *

This rare and interesting plant was found by Dr. R. Marloth in the Calvinia District. An examination of fresh specimens has enabled us to reduce the three species described in the “Flora Capensis” to a single species, and the genus _Daubenya_ therefore becomes one of South Africa’s monotypic genera. Our conclusions have been confirmed by independent observations made by Dr. Marloth, and we give below the notes he forwarded to the Division of Botany.

“The colour of the flower is the most brilliant scarlet known in the Flora of South Africa, and especially dazzling when seen in full sunlight. This effect is due to the combination of two pigments in the subepidermal tissues of the flower, viz. a granular yellow pigment distributed through all the cells, and a bright red solution present in most of the cells of the subepidermal layer, but absent in others. This peculiarity of structure also explains the occurrence of plants with yellow flowers, for if through some cause or other (as a sport), the red pigment is not produced, the flower is plain yellow, just as in such a case the flower of the red _Watsonia_ (_W. rosa_) becomes pure white (Arderne’s Watsonia). It so happened that the yellow form was first introduced into England and described by Lindley as _Daubenya aurea_ (1835), hence this name has to be retained for the species, although the flower is generally scarlet, and the yellow form has only arisen as a sport. There is, however, no structural difference between _D. aurea_ Lindl., _D. coccinea_ Harv., and _D. fulva_ Lindl.”

The length of the floral segments and of the peduncle, given as distinguishing characters by Lindley, is very variable in the specimens seen by us (over one hundred); some of them are scarlet, others yellow, and some dull orange. The scent of the flowers is unpleasant, somewhat recalling that of the flowers of _Rhus_.

The home of this remarkable plant was unknown to botanists until re-discovered in 1920. It grows in heavy red clay soil on the farm Fransplaas, about 40 miles north of Sutherland, and flowers in September.

The genus was named by Dr. Lindley in honour of Dr. Charles Daubeny, Professor of Botany at Oxford, “whose interesting researches in vegetable Chemistry have materially conduced to improve our knowledge of the physiology of plants.”

Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1458).

DESCRIPTION:--An acaulescent herbaceous plant. _Bulb_ 1·6 cm. long, 1·9 cm. in diameter, covered with brown membranous tunics with numerous fibrous roots from the base. _Leaves_ 2, flat, 5-8 cm. long, 4-5 cm. broad, ovate, subacuminate, obtuse, narrowed and clasping at the base, many-nerved, with margins narrowly membranous. _Capitulum_ about 10-flowered, with a peduncle 3 cm. long, clasped by the leaf base and beneath the soil. _Outer bracts_ white, membranous, 2·7 cm. long, 1·6 cm. broad, oblong; inner bracts 2·5 cm. long, 9 mm. broad, obovate-spathulate, entire, clasping the perianth-tube. _Pedicels_ 5 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, compressed, fleshy. _The outer flowers_ 2-lipped and differently shaped from the inner. _Perianth-tube_ of outer flowers 2 cm. long, 4 mm. in diameter, somewhat compressed; lobes of lower lip 2·6 cm. long; the middle lobe 1·4 cm. broad; the 2 side lobes 1 cm. broad; all obovate-oblong, obtuse; lobes of upper lip 3 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, linear. _Perianth-lobes_ of inner flowers 3-6 mm. long, all linear or lanceolate. _Stamens_ inserted at different levels; filaments 3-6 mm. long, terete, fleshy, tapering upwards; anthers 2 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ 7 mm. long, 2·5 mm. in diameter, narrowly ellipsoid, glabrous; style 2·5 cm. long, terete, with 3 minute stigmas at the apex.

* * * * *

PLATE 71.--Fig. 1, plant viewed from above; Fig. 2, plant, side
view; Fig. 3, a single flower; Fig. 4, side view of flower of outer
whorl; Fig. 5, flower from middle of inflorescence; Fig. 6, the
same flower viewed from above, showing the stamens and style; Fig.
7, bract.

F.P.S.A., 1922.

K A Lansdell del.]

PLATE 72.

STAPELIA PILLANSII, _var._ ATTENUATA.

_Cape Province._

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ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe STAPELIEAE.

STAPELIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 784.

* * * * *

=Stapelia Pillansii=, _N. E. Br._, _var._ =attenuata=, _N. E. Br._ in _Fl. Cap._ vol. iv. sect. i. p. 958.

* * * * *

This interesting _Stapelia_ was first discovered by Mr. N. S. Pillans, of Cape Town, at Witte Poort in the Laingsburg Division, and described by Mr. N. E. Brown, to whom Mr. Pillans sent most of his collections of this group. Our plant is one of the larger-flowered species of the genus, resembling in this respect _S. gigantea_ and _S. nobilis_, but differing in colour from both these species. The flowers have a distinct carrion-like odour, although this is not so strong as in many other species of the genus. When in bud the petals form an acuminate beak recurved at the apex. Under cultivation in the greenhouse the stems turn a dark reddish-brown colour.

Our specimen was collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans at Laingsburg, and flowered at the Division of Botany, Pretoria, in October, 1921. (National Herbarium, Pretoria, Herb. No. 1492.)

DESCRIPTION:--_Stems_ 9-15 cm. high, 1·4-2·2 cm. in diameter, 4-angled and with concave sides, pubescent, usually green. _Teeth_ with erect whitish rudimentary leaves about 2 mm. long. _Flowers_ 2 (4 or 5 according to Brown) from near the base of the stems. _Pedicels_ 3-4 cm. long, terete, pubescent. _Sepals_ 1·7 cm. long, 2 mm. broad at the base, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, acute, pubescent. _Corolla_ when expanded 22·5 cm. in diameter, diamine-brown above, smooth and without markings, glabrous; lobes 10·5 cm. long, 2·2 cm. broad at the base, ovate, tapering to a long point, strongly revolute, ciliate with short hairs and with longer vibratile hairs. _Corona_ dark coloured; outer corona lobes 4 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, oblong, bluntly 3-lobed at the apex; the middle lobe the largest; inner corona-lobes 7 mm. long, 3 mm. broad, obovate, flattened and appearing to stand at right angles to the outer lobes, on either edge produced into a beak; the inner beak longer than the outer and recurved over the flattened portion of the corona; the outer beak entire or irregularly 2-3-lobed.

* * * * *

PLATE 72.--Fig. 1, corona; Fig. 2, lobe of inner corona; Fig. 3,
lobe of _outer corona_.

F.P.S.A., 1922.